Report from the Star Wars Generation

Zine
Title:	Report from the Star Wars Generation
Publisher:
Editor(s):	Jon Bradley Snyder
Date(s):	1991-1993
Medium:	print
Fandom:	Star Wars
Language:	English
External Links:	online here by [PDF of 1993 fanzine Report From The Star Wars Generation! – SUBMITTERATOR, Archived version
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Report from the Star Wars Generation is a non-fiction Star Wars zine of satire, photos, articles, photos, and essays.

The third issue received a cease and desist letter from George Lucas.

In 1997, a fellow faned said, "In only three issues of that 'zine, he set a standard for all SW fanzines that BH can only hope to live up to."

Three Issues, Two Different Formats

This zine had three issues: the first two were black-and-white photocopied newsletters, the third a 24-page color glossy magazine with the word "Premier" on the front cover. It was the third issue that most fans are familiar with. It is also the issue that caught Lucasfilms' eye, and ultimately led to its downfall.

Because the first two issues were small print runs given to friends, the third issue is considered the "first" one. That issue has has a flyer for the "second issue," which, of course, was never published.

From a 2001 Interview with the Editor

From Interview with Jon Bradley Snyder (2001):

Let's go way back to the beginning. Your first fanzine, 'Report From the Star Wars Generation', grabbed the attention of Lucasfilm. How long was it in production before you left to work for Lucasfilm? Let's make one thing clear, because I think some people are a bit confused about this; I have never worked for Lucasfilm. I worked for Fantastic Media, which is a licensee of Lucasfilm, just like Hasbro is a licensee of Lucasfilm. I printed the first issue of 'Report From the Star Wars Generation' back in 1991.

How much was it costing you to put it out? The first issue (Vol 1 #1, 1991: B&W Xerox pages) cost nothing. I borrowed a Xerox machine. The second issue (Vol 1 #2 1992: half-sheet Xerox w/ yellow cover featuring a 3x5 photo) cost next to nothing because I worked at a one hour photo place and had some good buddies that worked at Kinko's in Spokane , WA. The third issue (Vol. 2 #1 1993: full-color offset press cover) cost over $4,000.

Any ideas on the kind of numbers it was doing - like how many copies were distributed per issue? The first issue had less then 75 copies that I mostly just gave away to friends. The second issue I did around 300 copies. The third issue had almost 20,000 copies, most of which were sold to Diamond Comics. I went to offset press and a large print run on the third issue primarily at the urging of Chris Gore of Film Threat fame. He and all the crew at Film Threat at that time were big early supporters of me.

I only saw one once and I don't remember what exactly was in there but there was some pretty controversial stuff in there at times, no? It wasn’t controversial to me. The first issue I did an editorial advocating that America improve the space program so that I could visit the moon. The second issue had an article describing an incident where my friends Greg and Bruce and I smuggled beer in an R2-D2 toy box into a theater to see a charity screening of The Empire Strikes Back. The third issue contained a letter someone had sent me relating a story where they had a one night stand with and actress who played an Ewok. Also in that issue was an article about Frank Allnut’s 1977 book called The Force of Star Wars, in which he described Star Wars as an allegory for Christianity. An illustration that appeared with that article depicted Star Wars personalities as characters from Jesus Christ Superstar. This upset some people, but I don’t know why. Frank Allnut was the one making the comparisons and we were just visualizing and trying subtly point out that the comparisons were a bit absurd.

I understand Lucasfilm, at first, was not too thrilled with your magazine when they got hold of it. Tell me the story about how you go from there to working at Lucasfilm. What happened at the ranch - who did you speak to - what did they say - what was the deal that was made in the end?

Lucasfilm never really mentioned much about the content of the zine to me. They were upset, and justifiably so, that I was using their trademarked name in the title of a magazine, that was being through a major distribution channel for Star Wars products, Diamond Comics. I was a young, naïve punk at the time and did not realize at the time that what I was doing was clearly copyright infringement and could get me in a heap of trouble. (The funny thing is that now, I probably could do the same thing online and nobody would care.) I received a letter from Lucasfilm telling me to 'Cease and Desist', which totally freaked me out. I thought they were going to sue and I didn’t have any money because I had taken all the profits from the third issue and invested in a computer to use to make the next issue. At the time I got this letter the fourth issue was almost completed. I had even solicited the cover to Diamond. The cover consisted of a photo of the back of some guy’s head with the Star Wars logo carved into his hair. The guy, of course, was me. I don’t think I ever needed to prove my fandom credentials ever again after that.

At the same time a fellow at Lucasfilm named Allan Kausch, an old Bay area punk rocker that was way into Phillip K. Dick, bought a copy of Star Wars Generation. He knew that it was a bit out of control from a Lucasfilm standpoint, but thought that I had brought a refreshing slant to Star Wars fandom. He brought me to the attention of his boss, Lucy Wilson. In August 1993 I went out the ranch with my boss at the time, David Latimer, who was also interested in the project, and met with Lucy and Alan. The end result was that, after meeting me, Lucy and Alan were convinced, that I wasn’t a freak, that I was somebody who could be good for Star Wars, and they hooked me up with Dan Madsen at Fantastic Media and I went to work for him on the official magazine a few months later.

The First Proto Issue

Report from the Star Wars Generation (first proto issue) was printed in 1991 and contains 10 pages. Seventy-five copies were printed and given to friends.

"The first issue I did an editorial advocating that America improve the space program so that I could visit the moon."

The Second Proto Issue

Report from the Star Wars Generation (second proto issue) was printed in 1992. "It was a half-sheet Xerox w/ yellow cover featuring a 3x5 photo cost next to nothing because I worked at a one hour photo place and had some good buddies that worked at Kinko's in Spokane, WA.... The second issue had an article describing an incident where my friends Greg and Bruce and I smuggled beer in an R2-D2 toy box into a theater to see a charity screening of The Empire Strikes Back."

Three hundred copies were printed.

Reactions and Reviews: The Second Proto Issue

The phrase 'get a life' comes to mind when I see college-educated adults dressing up in silly movie costumes...

The Fact Sheet Five quote above comes from a review of "The Weekend of Living Star Wars" in the second Xeroxed issue of Star Wars Generation. All I can say to

Mr. Reviewer who wrote that is I'm sorry. I'm sorry you have no sense of humor. I'm sorry about your emotional disability that prevents you from dressing up in costume. I'm sorry that you've instilled the wrath of Star Wars fans across the globe by referring to the greatest movie of all time as "silly". I'm also sorry that my two buddies, Greg and Bruce, will probably want to hit you in the face for describing them as "college educated".

You, my dear reader, have no reason to be sorry. Put on that Yoda mask and let your eyes bulge with psychosis. Sit back and relax; there is no reason to be ashamed. You've just joined the Star Wars Generation.

Dear Stupid,

The band you described as being "reminiscent of Styx and Spinal Tap" in your review of The Star Wars Holiday Special is actually none other than Jefferson Starship. Starship is still one of the greatest bands of all time and deserves recognition from your little rag.

Lets face facts - you rock. I just got Star Wars Generation. Ho boy. You are truly Gods! Gods I say! Memories came rushing back to me. From my Star Wars wallpaper to my Empire bedsheets. Then there was the time my mom melted my Tie Fighter, Power Droid, and much of the Death Star. Thanks, oh so much. I look forward to future issues.

I just wanted to thank you for for publishing such an incredible publication. I am, of course, speaking of Report from the Star Wars Generation.

I couldn't help but notice that your next issue will contain an article about the Ewok scam. Let me just add a little fuel to the fire. I actually met a guy who met a dwarf at a party. They were slam dancing to Fishbone when he suddenly noticed that a dwarf was in danger of being crushed (not a reference to Spinal Tap/Stonehenge scenario). He reached down and picked up an attractive woman who was only four feet tall or thereabouts. Then a conversation between the two ensued which led to something which will forever change my view of Ewoks.

After one hour of gabbin' and yakkin' about life, the dwarf admitted that she had been one of the cast of Ewoks. His childhood fantasy was right in front of him. How many times had he masturbated in his Ewok sheets while chewing on his Luke Skywalker pillows? How many times had he used the force to woo lovers into his landspeeder shaped bed? how many Hail Vaders had he done for throwing out his Star Wars memorabilia (usually happened to guys that tried out for frosh football at the onset of puberty).

Suddenly the entire basis of his life was standing drunk in front of him. He did the unheard of... he made love to an Ewok. I kid you not. He actually had a sexual interlude with a member of the Rebellion. I could do nothing but imagine a furry creature slamming a Bud tall boy and committing a heinous sexual act that would shatter the purity of the film. How could they do this and believe that Ben Kanobie (I feel a presence in the force telling me that I may have just misspelled his name) was not sitting there with Yoda watching this atrocity occur? Have they no couth? Has America reached its end? Will Lucas ever finish the Trilogy and satiate our love with a new film? I guess we will have to wait and listen to the Force with all our hearts, and I hope that Ben can forgive this act as he once forgave Aniken [sic] Skywalker.

Let us pray that Timothy Zahn will open the doors to newer Star Wars cards and newer collectables that we can share with our children.

The Premier Issue

Report from the Star Wars Generation (considered to be the first issue) was published in 1993 and contains 25 pages of non-fiction Star Wars zine of satire, photos, articles, photos, and articles.

The head editor was Jon Bradley Snyder, the features editor was Krista Paulsen, and the design/production/computer person was Paul DesJardien.

Snyder, included this in his bio: "All law suits should be sent to Jon's attention. "What are you worried about it's my name on the thing!""

It was after this issue that George Lucas shut it down.

front cover

back cover

20,000 copies were printed.

The editorial:

"Star Wars changed my life." Have you ever uttered those words? If so this is the place for you. If you have never uttered those words then this is also the place for you. We here at Star Wars Generation are putting together a fan magazine like no other.

We aim to be funny, informative, and entertaining so that everyone from the Star Wars hardcore to the genuinely disinterested will have something to read here. Laugh with us or at us, we don't care. The phenomena called Star Wars is bigger than all of us.

The Fact Sheet Five quote above comes from a review of "The Weekend of Living Star Wars" in the second Xeroxed issue of Star Wars Generation. All I can say to Mr. Reviewer who wrote that is I'm sorry. I'm sorry you have no sense of humor. I'm sorry about your emotional disability that prevents you from dressing up in costume. I'm sorry that you've instilled the wrath of Star Wars fans across the globe by referring to the greatest movie of all time as "silly". I'm also sorry that my two buddies, Greg and Bruce, will probably want to hit you in the face for describing them as "college educated". You, my dear reader, have no reason to be sorry. Put on that Yoda mask and let your eyes bulge with psychosis. Sit back and relax; there is no reason to be ashamed. You've just joined the Star Wars Generation.

NOTE: In case you're wondering why the first issue of this magazine has a letters column and previously printed articles, the answer is simple. What you hold in your hands is the souped-up hot rod version of Star Wars Generation. Last year we printed two Xerox issues of Star Wars Generation, then known as Report from the Star Wars Generation. This year I put my whole life into hock to realize my dream of a printed Star Wars Generation available all over America. "The Weekend of Living Star Wars" and the Star Wars Holiday Special review are reprinted from our Xeroxed issues, which are now out of print and available only as an expensive collector's item.

• StarNews (3)

• Stretching Ewok Pelts (LoCs) (4)
• Bootleg Video Corner (5)
• The Hep-Cat Star Wars Checklist (6)

• Endless Magazine Search (7)

• Rise and Fall of the I.B.O.J.K.: Confessions of a Star Wars Freak: A Real Life Star Wars Cult? by Nick Friend (8)
• The Force of Star Wars: Is Luke Skywalker Jesus? (10)
• Joseph Campbell and the Power of Star Wars by Molly Little (11)
• JesusChrist SuperStarWars: A Pin-up Centerfold, art by Matt Zodrow (12)
• Star Wars on Trial: The Great Star Wars P.R. War (Research into the battle to explain/claim/reclaim the term "Star Wars" from its use for the Strategic Defense Initiative: "Like a fourth-grader who wants to try out the on-line periodical search, but has, well, non-academic interests, you search for entries under the topic "Star Wars". You're expecting to find a little fluff piece on Mark Hamill or an Architectural Digest tour of the Skywalker Ranch, right? Think again. Ten to one you find a jillion listings about SDI, or a note to "see Strategic Defense Initiative." Before you throttle the librarian, sit yourself down and write a good long letter to U.S. Judge Gerhard A. Gesell. Why? I'm tellin' ya why...") (18)
• The New TOPPS Star Wars Cards!!!: Ten Years Later the Cards Keep Coming! (15)
• Boba Fett Army, comic by Matt Zodrow and Jon Snyder (20)
• Are You a Collectaholic?, comic by Nick Friend and Jon Snyder (21)

• Star Wars Injuries, comic by Matt Zodrow (22)
• Reviews (various for-profit Star Wars stuff) (23)

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  inside page, the centerfold

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  inside page

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  flyer for the never-published "second" issue

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  inside page

Reactions and Reviews: The Premier Issue

This is one warped, whacked out publication, but it's the only SW zine you can buy in stores across America, and the only one reviewed by that Holy Book ol Fanzines, Factsheet Five. Besides, we like warped and whacked out.

This issue contains stories on the new SW trading cards (they even included a picture of that x-rated C3PO card!), the SDI-SW controversy, a trilogy showing in Spokane, Washington, and a 200-page book written by a Christian fundamentalist about the Biblical side of the Force. I can tell you from experience that this book, The Force of Star Wars by Frank Allnut, is a really bizarre read. I recommend it for a few laughs, if you can find it.

Anyway, that article inspired a "centerfold pin-up" entitled "Jesus Christ Super Star Wars," where the SW crew is dressed up as various characters from the music a lot similar name. (Hmm.. George Lucas meets Andrew Lloyd Webber. I wonder why nobody's thought of that before?). The other cartoons are a laugh riot, especially one about collectaholics.

The whole zine has an underground feel to it, despite its "big-budget" appearance. You just know the editor listens to band like Mudhoney and King Missile The publishers put out other non-SWzines with titles like "Girlhero" and "Hippiedick." But they certainly love SW just the same. The editor refers to it as the greatest movie ever made" several times. And there is one wonderful quote: "I actively support the growing call for state and federal programs to go out into the community and reach kids with Star Wars." Amen!

Next issue promises controversy as they tackle the "Great Ewok Debate: Lovable Furballs or Crass Marketing Ploy?!"

Take your sides now, kids....